Jazz birthdays › October
October Jazz Birthdays
Jazz musicians born in October, day by day.
This page lists 64 jazz musicians born in October, day by day. The earliest-born is Jelly Roll Morton (20 October 1890) and the most recent is Esperanza Spalding (18 October 1984). The month also includes Thelonious Monk (10 October), Dizzy Gillespie (21 October) and Art Blakey (11 October). Underlined names link to our article about that musician.
1October
- Albert Collinsguitar, singer · 1932
- Dave Hollanddouble bass, bandleader · 1946
2October
- Django Batespiano, keyboards, composer · 1960
3October
- George Weinfestival promoter, piano · 1925
- Ronnie Lawssaxophone · 1950
- Stevie Ray Vaughanguitar, singer · 1954
4October
- Steve Swallowbass · 1940
- Duke Robillardguitar · 1948
5October
- Jimmy Blantondouble bass · 1918
- Bill Dixontrumpet, composer · 1925
- Tord Gustavsenpiano · 1970
7October
- Vaughn Monroesinger, trumpet, bandleader · 1911
- Larry Youngorgan · 1940
8October
- Pepper Adamsbaritone saxophone · 1930
9October
- Yusef Lateeftenor saxophone, flute, oboe · 1920
- Kenny Garrettalto saxophone · 1960
10October
- Harry "Sweets" Edisontrumpet · 1915
- Thelonious Monkpiano, composer · 1917
- Ed Blackwelldrums · 1929
11October
- Art Blakeydrums, bandleader · 1919
- Billy Higginsdrums · 1936
- Lester Bowietrumpet · 1941
12October
- Chris Bottitrumpet · 1962
13October
- Art Tatumpiano · 1909
- Ray Brownbass · 1926
- Lee Konitzalto saxophone · 1927
- Pharoah Sanderstenor saxophone · 1940
14October
- Kazumi Watanabeguitar · 1953
15October
- Freddy Colepiano, singer · 1931
- Fela Kutisaxophone, bandleader (Afrobeat) · 1938
16October
- Big Joe Williamsblues guitar, singer · 1903
- Roy Hargrovetrumpet · 1969
17October
- Cozy Coledrums · 1909
- Luiz Bonfáguitar, composer · 1922
- Barney Kesselguitar · 1923
18October
- Bobby Trouppiano, songwriter · 1918
- Anita O’Daysinger · 1919
- Wynton Marsalistrumpet · 1961
- Esperanza Spaldingbass, singer · 1984
19October
- Roger Wolfe Kahnbandleader, composer · 1907
- Eddie Danielsclarinet · 1941
20October
- Jelly Roll Mortonpiano, composer · 1890
- Eddie Harristenor saxophone · 1934
21October
- Don Byastenor saxophone · 1912
- Dizzy Gillespietrumpet, bandleader · 1917
22October
- Clare Fischerpiano, composer, arranger · 1928
23October
- Sonny Crissalto saxophone · 1927
- Dianne Reevessinger · 1956
24October
- Sonny Terryblues harmonica, singer · 1911
- Odean Popetenor saxophone · 1938
25October
- Eddie Langguitar · 1902
- Jimmy Heathtenor saxophone, composer · 1926
26October
- Mahalia Jacksongospel singer · 1911
- Charlie Barnetbandleader, saxophone · 1913
- Warne Marshtenor saxophone · 1927
27October
- David Hazeltinepiano · 1958
28October
- Cleo Lainesinger · 1927
- Andy Beysinger, piano · 1939
29October
- Neal Heftiarranger, composer · 1922
- Zoot Simstenor saxophone · 1925
30October
- Illinois Jacquettenor saxophone · 1922
- Clifford Browntrumpet · 1930
31October
- Ethel Waterssinger, actress · 1896
- Booker Ervintenor saxophone · 1930
Disputed October birth dates
- Cozy Cole (17 October 1909): Some sources give 1906
- Jelly Roll Morton (20 October 1890): Birth year long disputed; he claimed 1885
- Mahalia Jackson (26 October 1911): She believed 1912 until she was 40
- Illinois Jacquet (30 October 1922): Some sources give 31 October
- Ethel Waters (31 October 1896): Some sources give 1900
Birth dates checked against standard references. Where sources disagree, we use the most widely cited date and say so. Spotted an error or a missing name? Let us know.